It was the first such working visit for the screen star since Mr Guterres named her special envoy this month. She has however been a UN goodwill ambassador since 2001, and as such made 40 visits around the world in the past decade.

The new post will see the Oscar-winning actress perform a more diplomatic role.

"She is expected to focus on large-scale crises resulting in the mass displacement of people, to undertake advocacy and represent UNHCR and Mr Guterres at the diplomatic level, engaging with relevant interlocutors on global displacement issues," UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards said last week.

Ecuador is the Latin American nation which has the largest number of refugees – including some 56,000 from neighbouring Colombia. Jolie visited with refugees in Sucumbios province on Saturday, the UN said.